How do I ask for a Fair Hearing?

Our call volume can be extremely high. Please do not wait on the line if you have internet access. Instead please request a fair hearing by accessing the Fair Hearing Online Request Form.

You can request a Fair Hearing:

Online:
Request a Fair Hearing

By phone:
1-800-342-3334 (Fax:518-473-6735)
New York City emergency Fair Hearings ONLY: 800-205-0110
Hearing Impaired: New York Relay Service at 711.
Please tell the operator to call 877-502-6155. Service at this number can only be provided to callers using TDD equipment.

In person:
Visit a Fair Hearing office

• 5 Beaver Street, New York, NY
• Albany: 40 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY

In writing:
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Office of Administrative Hearings
40 North Pearl Street, 15th Floor
Albany, NY 12243

For more information, visit the Fair Hearings page.

How do I apply for Child Support Services?

You can apply for Child Support Services:

In person:
Visit a local child support office.

In writing:
Complete the Child Support Enrollment Form and mail it to your local child support office.

Note: Complete and submit only the last 4 pages to your local child support office. The Enrolling for Child Support Services — What You Need to Know section is for your reference and contains important information you need to know and understand about child support services.

For more information, visit the Child Support Services website.

How do I apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

You can apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:

Online:
myBenefits.ny.gov

In person:
Visit your local department of social services or in New York City a SNAP Center. Please call or visit their website to check their operating hours.

In writing:
Print and mail or fax the SNAP Application form to your local department of social services.

After your application is filed, the local department of social services or SNAP office will review your information and determine your household's eligibility for SNAP. The department of social services will contact you if they need anything more than your application to determine your eligibility for SNAP benefits.

Note: If you qualify for SNAP, you must receive them no later than 30 days from the date the local district received your application.

Authorized Representatives

If you are experiencing a hardship, or are disabled, you may have someone apply for you. Print the person's name, address and phone number on the signature page (page 5) of your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application or please fill out and sign the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Authorized Representative Request Form and give the completed form to your worker or SNAP office.

For more information, visit the SNAP page.

How do I apply for Temporary Assistance?

You can apply for Temporary Assistance:

Online:
myBenefits.ny.gov

In person:
Visit your local department of social services or Job Center.

In writing:
Print and mail or fax the application form to your local department of social services.

Note: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply.

For more information, visit the Temporary Assistance page.

How do I apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program?

• The 2024-2025 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2024
• The 2024-2025 First and Second Emergency benefits are scheduled to open on January 2, 2025
• The 2024-2025 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit opened on October 1, 2024
• The 2024-2025 Clean and Tune benefit opened on October 1, 2024
• The 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance benefit is scheduled to open on April 15, 2025

When HEAP is open, you can apply for a Regular HEAP Benefit:

Online:

• New York City residents — access.nyc.gov
• Outside of New York City — myBenefits.ny.gov

In person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

In writing:
You can download and print the HEAP Application or call your HEAP Local District Contact to request an application be mailed to your home. The completed HEAP Application may be mailed to:

• Your HEAP Local District Contact, for those who live outside of New York City, or
• NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008, for NYC residents.

You may also drop off the completed HEAP Application at your HEAP Local District Contact

Notes:

• Remember to sign your name on Section 9: Consent and Signature of the HEAP Application.
• If you qualify for HEAP you will be notified no later than 30 business days from the date the local district received your HEAP application.
• The HEAP application is also available in several other languages and alternative formats.

For more information, visit the HEAP webpage.

You can apply for a HEAP Emergency benefit when it is open:

By Phone:
You may call your HEAP Local District Contact for assistance.

New York City residents may call 718-557-1399 for assistance.

In person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

You can apply for a Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit when it is open:

In person:
You may call your HEAP Local District Contact to apply for Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) benefits. An eligibility interview is required for all HERR applications but may be completed with applicants in person or by telephone. Your local district contact will decide if you meet all the eligibility conditions, including the income and resource requirements. The district will provide more information on how to submit the application and required documentation.

You can apply for a HEAP Clean and Tune benefit when it is open:

By Phone:
You may call your HEAP Local District Contact and ask them to mail you an application. The district will provide more information on eligibility, how to submit the application, and required documentation.

In person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact for Clean and Tune benefits. The district will provide more information on eligibility, how to submit the application, and required documentation.

You can apply for a HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit when it is open:

Online:
New York City residents — access.nyc.gov.

By Phone:
You may call your HEAP Local District Contact. The district will provide more information on eligibility, the application process, and required documentation.

In person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

How do I apply for SSI/Social Security Disability?

You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance:

Online:
Social Security Administration (SSA) Online Services

By phone:
Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In person:
Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.)

After you submit your application to the Federal Social Security Administration (SSA) your claim will be sent to the NYS Division of Disability Determinations and a Disability Analyst will review your case and determine whether or not you meet the federal medical guidelines to qualify for Social Security Disability. SSA makes the final determination whether or not you will receive benefits.

For more information, visit the SSI/Social Security Disability Benefits page.

This page contains links to PDF documents. Download Acrobat Reader to view these documents.

2023-2024 HEAP Monthly Income Limits

Your total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:

Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

2023-2024 HEAP Monthly Income Limits

Your total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:

Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.